Miniature effect

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In the field of special effects a miniature effect is a special effect generated by the use of scale models.

Scale models are often combined with high speed photography to make gravitational and other effects scale properly.

Where a miniature appears in the foreground of a shot, this is often very close to the camera lens - for example when matte painted backgrounds are used. Since the exposure is set to the object being filmed so the actors appear well lit, the miniature must be over-lit in order to balance the exposure and eliminate any depth of field differences that would otherwise be visible. This foreground miniature usage is referred to as forced perspective.

Another form of miniature effect uses stop motion animation.